Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Golden Goal puck should be displayed where Americans can enjoy it

Mark Madden TribLive Sat, Mar 21, 2026 • 08:58 AM

United States’ Jack Hughes (86), right, celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal against Canada in sudden death overtime during the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP)

Jack Hughes — he of the Golden Goal — briefly wrangled with the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto over ownership of said puck.

The Hockey Hall of Fame won that war because possession is nine-tenths of the law. The dolt with the white gloves and dorky haircut that babysits the Stanley Cup for a pathetic living condescendingly said that Hughes never owned the puck in the first place and is “lucky to play” hockey.

But nothing was lucky about that shot.

Hughes has earned everything he’s got. Hockey is lucky to have him.

Hughes gracefully backed off his claim to the puck, saying he’s “honored” that it’s being displayed.

Sidney Crosby commented similarly when asked about his Golden Goal puck from 2010: “I was just happy that I scored the goal.”

Two class acts. (If Hughes parroted Crosby, he picked the right role model.)

The Hockey Hall of Fame posted a video of the display that features Hughes’ Golden Goal puck. It looks fine. The notion that Canadians have to look at it is amusing. (I was rooting for Crosby to win gold, but he got hurt, so I’m more than good with the result if not necessarily patriotically orgasmic.)

But the post didn’t show where the display is at. It could be in a broom closet.

The Miracle on Ice in 1980 has, to my witness, been minimized at the Hockey Hall of Fame. Even though it’s the most memorable moment in the game’s history.

The 1972 Summit Series — the first meeting between Canadian pros and the Soviet juggernaut — gets larger-than-life billing: “Henderson has scored for Canada!” Makes sense. The Hockey Hall of Fame is in Toronto.

But 1980 and 1972 could be featured more equitably.

Perhaps Hughes’ Golden Goal puck should be exhibited at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Minn.

I don’t think it should be on Hughes’ mantle. It should be where people can see it and have memories triggered.

I’m sure Hughes doesn’t want to sell it, but it would fetch a pretty penny. (American, not Canadian. Our money is worth more.)

It’s an American moment. That puck should be displayed where Americans can enjoy it without having to use a passport. Where the vast majority of those who see it are happy that it was scored. It’s quite the opposite where it is now.

Three-on-three isn’t real hockey?

You got goalie’d?

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